Review of the Champion st656 petrol self-propelled snow blower: advantages and disadvantages, cost, user opinions

The Champion st656 snow blower is one of the most popular models among Russians.

The article will discuss what advantages and disadvantages the equipment has, how to properly assemble it and put it into operation.

It will be useful to read both for people planning a purchase and for those who already own this “winter helper.”

Description of the snow blower Champion

The Champion st656 snow blower is a device for clearing an area from freshly fallen, uncompacted snow.

The model consists of the following nodes:

• frame;
• motor with muffler, air filter;
• gas tank;
• augers;
• gutters with a deflector for snow ejection;
• levers - turning on the drive, turning on the augers, controlling the chute, shifting gears;
• ignition switch;
• oil level sensor;
• cover and dipstick covering the tank neck and oil drain plug.

The package includes a gutter cleaning blade that is mounted on the auger housing.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages snow blower Champion st656:

1. High engine power, which is 6.5 liters. With. It is enough for cleaning small areas.
2. Thoughtful design. All control levers are freely accessible.
3. Sufficient snow throw range (up to 12 m) and a rotating chute.
4. Ergonomic design and economical fuel consumption, which is 0.8 liters per hour.
5. The frame and bucket are made of high-quality metal, which is equipped with stiffeners.
6. Simple controls.
7. Wide wheels with deep tread. They allow the vehicle to pass even through areas with difficult terrain.

To the disadvantages snow blowers include:

1. The need to manually start the starter.
2. Difficulties with maintenance. If you can’t handle the breakdown yourself, finding a professional repairman in some cities is problematic.
3. Lack of rubber pad on the control handle. It will be cold to work without gloves in winter.
4. Lack of a headlight, which would be useful for clearing snow in the evening.

Assembly

Assembly of snow blower Champion st656 carried out as follows:

• The steering wheel is installed on the frame, secured with bolts and nuts included in the kit;
• fix the auger drive cable by the hole in the switching lever - for this it is equipped with a special hook;
• attach the gear shift lever to the platform;
• install and secure the snow discharge chute;
• attach its control lever using a bracket;
• install auger shear pins and slides to adjust the height of the auger box.

They check the reliability of fixation of all elements and begin to launch the equipment.

Preparing for launch

Before putting the device into operation, it must be prepared. To do this, perform the following steps:

1. Check the oil level in the catheter. If it is not enough, the composition is topped up. Normally, it should reach the bottom edge of the neckline.
2. Adjust the height of the snow fence. This is done using a pair of skids that are located on the outside of the snow casing.
3. Check the operation of the levers, the inclusion of travel and rotation of the auger.
4. Check the auger and impeller. There should be no ice on them, which could lead to damage to the device.
5. Pour gasoline into the tank. It can only be refilled indoors with good ventilation or in the open air. Do not pour gasoline to the brim, as it expands when heated. AI-93 grade fuel is used for refueling.

How to launch and use?

Instructions for starting the snow blower:

1. To put the device into operation, you need to open the fuel valve by moving its lever to the “On” position. If the engine is cold, the choke lever should be left closed. When the engine is warm, it should be open.
2. The gas lever is moved to 1/3 stroke.
3. Press the fuel pumping primer 3 times, then turn the switch to the “On” position.
4. Turn the crankshaft using a manual starter. When resistance is felt, its handle is slowly pulled down. Then the engine is started with a sharp movement. If it was not possible to do this the first time, the procedure is repeated.
5. When the engine starts, the starter handle is slowly returned to its original position.
6. After the engine warms up, the air damper is opened. On average this takes about a minute. Then the gas lever is moved to the “Hare” position.

Instructions for use of the device:

• the snow blower can be moved either forward or backward - you cannot pull it in the opposite direction, so as not to damage the wheel drive;
• You cannot use the equipment on surfaces with a slope of more than 10 degrees;
• when removing snow on paved sidewalks and pedestrian paths, the casing must be lowered lower to the surface of the ground;
• to clean rocky and uneven areas, the casing is lifted up - this will avoid the capture of stones and other debris;
• After cleaning is completed, the engine is left running for a few minutes to remove any remaining snow and prevent the impeller from freezing.

How to serve and store?

Storage and maintenance features:

1. Every 300 hours of operation, condensate must be removed from the fuel tank and flushed. To change the oil, place the device on a flat surface.
2. When starting the device for the first time, oil is poured into it 5 hours before turning it on. The second replacement is performed after 25 hours of operation, and the subsequent one every 50 hours.
3. Before sending for long-term storage, the equipment is preserved and the engine oil is changed.
4. After each use, the chute from which the snow comes out is thoroughly cleaned.
5. Remove dust and dirt from the spark plug, check the integrity of the electrodes and insulation, and replace the part if necessary.
6. Lubricate the drive gear responsible for turning the chute.
7. The equipment is stored in a clean, dry room with air humidity of no more than 80%. If possible, the apparatus is covered with a tarpaulin.

All work to prepare equipment for storage is carried out only with a cold engine.

Where can I buy?

You can buy a Champion st656 snow blower in retail stores that sell cleaning equipment. Another option is to arrange delivery in an online market.

It is better to make a purchase on large online platforms such as Yandex.Market or Ozone. This will minimize the risk of encountering scammers. An undoubted advantage of online ordering is the ability to arrange delivery to any address.

Price

The cost of the Champion st656 snow blower depends on the markup set by the seller. A price that is too high or low should raise red flags.Normally, it is in the range of 55,000 – 56,000 rubles.

Reviews

Users respond positively to the Champion st656 snow blower model. They are satisfied with the price-quality ratio and the reliability of the device.

The car is easy to use, starts on the first try, does not require frequent replacement of the spark plug. The equipment is great for cleaning adjacent areas, paths and paths.

Alternative options on the market

There are snow blowers on the market from other manufacturers that have similar functionality to the Champion st656 model.

Three worthy analogues:

• Huter SGC 4000;
• Hyundai S;
• PATRIOT PS 603 E.

Before making a choice, it is necessary to study in detail the features of each model.

Video on the topic of the article

Video review of the Champion st656 snow blower:

Conclusion

The Champion st656 snow blower is a worthy representative in its class. The machine is reliable and does an excellent job of clearing small areas. If used according to the instructions, it will last for many years.